Pte Frank West, 49094, 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in the trenches in France by a shell on April 6th, 1918. He was aged 19, single and the son of George and Annie West, of 111 Guildford Street, Luton.

It was comrade Pte J. W. Harrison (Beds Regiment) who broke the news to the parents in an emotional letter from the Front. He wrote: "He was a lad who was esteemed by us all, and his jovial manner and personality made him popular with all who came into contact with him, from the NCOs to his comrades in the line.

"He was killed by a shell and he died smiling, and I am certain he died happy. I shall always remember his last smile. I have shed a few quiet tears over your gallant son. Men cannot cry, they say, but they can when men do not see them. I feel too full to write any more."

Pte Harrison did however add that he had asked Frank two days before they went into the line to play the piano at a YMCA hut, and he seemed to be fond of the song, 'My Dear Homeland'.